Page 26 of Sweet Temptation

"Well, my study session with Damon was cancelled. He's going to a party with the boys," I reply, slightly annoyed.

"You know, everything doesn't revolve around studying, right?" She laughs as we pull out of the parking lot.

Sure, it doesn't revolve around studying, but having good grades never hurt anyone. Definitely never hurts to feel like you're doing well at something, either.

I giggle in response, taking my phone out of my jeans. "Tell that to Scarlet. The girl lives with her nose in a book."

"Who are you texting, missy?" Bailey smirks at me.

I grin as we stop outside Bailey's house. Climbing out of the shiny red car, I feel myself pale when my eyes land on a tall, muscular blonde with his head hanging in his lap as he waits on the apartment steps. My brother.

"Harley…" I choke out. Bailey stares at me as I slowly walk toward the steps. He raises his blonde head, and I feel like I've seen a ghost. It's only been since the summer, but the entire time I stayed in NYC with my dad, I felt out of place.

The thoughts of him saving my life wouldn't stop clouding my thoughts. My brother is sitting on Bailey's steps with a look of pure guilt in his eyes. Maybe because of our last conversation three days ago about classes, and how he doesn't feel involved in my life.

He shouldn't feel guilty for anything, though. He saved me four years ago, and he kept my mind at bay for three months in the summer. My brother may not see me every day, but he's one of the most important men in my life. "Hanna," he whispers.

I fling my arms around him as the tears pour down my cheeks. "I know, I should have called you but… We left things weird in August. I felt like you still saw me as the same brother from that party," he replies, sulking his head back down.

We left things weird because I walked in on him and his summer fling. My eyeballs were scarred, and I couldn't face him.

Sighing, I sit beside him, giving Bailey a go ahead smile. My friend wanders into her apartment while I sit beside my brother, trying to figure out what to say.

I smile and shove Harley's shoulder with a grin. "It wasn't your fault; I opened the door without knocking. I was sent to our grandparents, and that isn't any better than the party," I reply in a soft whisper.

My brother turns to face me, his eyes hardening. "He fucking touched you!" Oh shit. "You're supposed to tell me if he hurt you!"

I lick my lips and place my hand on his. "You aren't my knight, Harley. You don't always have to save me from everything life throws at me."

"Yes, I do. I'm your big brother," Harley replies, ruffling my hair.

My eyes fall to the floor as I clutch my books to my chest. "He did exactly what Jared did… He raped me," I mutter, finally answering the question.

My brother jumps to his feet, anger filling his body. "You're not living there anymore. What about that blonde? Can you stay with her?"

Shaking my head, I sigh again. "She has a roommate, but Scarlet doesn't."

"Then ask Scarlet because I won't leave Princeton until you're out of that house." A smile curves on my lips before I grin. "Dad says he misses you, by the way," he mutters.

I bark out a laugh and look at him with narrowed eyes. "If he cared, I wouldn't be in Princeton. I'd be in New York," I reply with a growl.

Harley shrugs before he gives me a soft smile. "I'm heading to my hotel, catch up tomorrow? You seem busy." He nods toward the door. I wasn’t busy, I just had no idea what I was supposed to do. How I was supposed to react around my brother anymore.

I nod before getting to my feet and give him a soft hug. "Maybe call next time," I reply, waving as he heads toward a rental car parked in front of the building.

I retreat into Bailey's apartment, closing the door behind me. My blonde friend gives me a sympathetic smile as we head into her bedroom. "Don't call, don't text, and then just show up," I say with surprise.

Bailey shrugs. "My mother moved back to Madrid, and she doesn't tell me when she's visiting; she just shows up." Bailey grins at me. At least she has her father around; though, as the hockey coach, he rarely sees her.

I smile lightly before settling myself in Bailey's beanbag chair. I still remember the first time I was in this bedroom. The first time we talked about things together. I smile softly as our conversation breaks into other things.

I'm glad I agreed that day, because if I didn't, I'd probably still be that same girl who was all alone on her third day of university.

I send a text to Scarlet once Bailey and I wrap our visit, and I head for the door while I chew on my lip. Hoping and praying this works out in my favour.

Me: Hey. I can't physically stay with my grandmother anymore after what happened. Do you need a roommate? Or do you want one?

I watch Scarlet type and retype her message a few times before the bubbles finally stay consistent and I hold my breath and hold on to my hope.

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